White Smoke in The Hague: D66, VVD, and CDA Seal the Deal for a New Dutch Government

The Hague – After months of intense negotiations, rumors, and political deadlock, the word is finally out: The Netherlands has a new government in the making. The negotiators for D66 (Democrats 66), VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), and CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal) have officially reached an outline agreement on the new coalition deal.

This breakthrough marks a pivotal moment in Dutch politics for 2026. Following the announcement, D66 leader Rob Jetten, VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz, and CDA leader Henri Bontenbal stepped forward to confirm the news: “We have reached an agreement together.”

While the ink is technically still drying on the finer details, the path is now clear for a historic Minority Cabinet, likely led by Rob Jetten as the country’s next Prime Minister. The Dutch Daily breaks down what this center-liberal-Christian alliance means for the country, the economy, and the international community.

Table of Contents

• The Deal: Defense, Finance & “Investments in Ourselves”
• The Minority Experiment: How Will It Work?
• Rob Jetten: The Likely New Prime Minister
• The Critical Timeline: Swearing-in on Feb 23
• Key Players: Who Goes Where?
• What This Means for Expats

The Deal: Defense, Finance & “Investments in Ourselves”

The core of this new coalition agreement rests on three major pillars: Defense, Economic Stability, and Public Investment.

Unlike previous cabinets that were criticized for vague spending, this alliance seems focused on fiscal discipline combined with strategic spending.

1. Massive Defense Boost

With geopolitical tensions rising in Europe, the trio has agreed on “major investments” in defense. This aligns with NATO targets and the VVD’s traditional stance on security. For the tech and engineering sectors, this could mean new contracts and opportunities.

2. “Investments in the Netherlands”

The leaders emphasized investing in “The Netherlands itself.” While vague, political analysts interpret this as a focus on infrastructure, housing, and perhaps climate adaptation (a key D66 demand). However, the language suggests a move away from international development aid towards domestic issues.

3. Fiscal Responsibility

Rob Jetten’s statement was telling: “We wanted to get the financial picture right so that we do not leave a debt burden for future generations.”
This suggests a stricter budget than the previous cabinet. Expats should watch out for potential tax adjustments or cuts in subsidies as the government tries to balance the books.

The Minority Experiment: How Will It Work?

This is not a majority coalition. The D66, VVD, and CDA combination does not hold 76 seats in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer). This means they are forming a Minority Cabinet (Minderheidskabinet).

Why does this matter?
In a majority government, laws are passed automatically because the coalition has the votes. In a minority government, the cabinet must find support from opposition parties (like GroenLinks-PvdA, Volt, or even NSC) for every single law.

The leaders stated: “We make clear choices, but we also extend a hand of cooperation to other parties.”

The Risk: Instability. If they can’t find votes, the government falls.
The Benefit: More democracy. Parliament gets more power, and debates actually matter.

Rob Jetten: The Likely New Prime Minister

With D66 emerging as the lead party in this configuration, all eyes are on Rob Jetten. As the likely Formateur to be appointed next week, he is on track to become the Prime Minister.

Profile of the Potential PM:
If appointed, Jetten would bring a distinct shift in style from the Rutte era. Known for his climate advocacy (“Climate Pope” nickname turned badge of honor) and progressive values, his leadership would signal a modern, younger face for the Netherlands. However, leading a cabinet with the conservative VVD and CDA will require a massive balancing act.

The Critical Timeline: Swearing-in on Feb 23

The roadmap to the new government is fast-tracked. Here is what the next few weeks look like:

Key Players: Who Goes Where?

While the policies are agreed upon, the personnel puzzle remains.

• Henri Bontenbal (CDA): He has explicitly stated he will not join the cabinet. He plans to stay in the House of Representatives as the fractievoorzitter (party leader) to control the government from parliament. This is a strategic move to rebuild the CDA.
• Dilan Yeşilgöz (VVD): Her future is the biggest wildcard. Formerly the Minister of Justice, she might return to a heavy ministerial post (perhaps Finance or Foreign Affairs) or stay in parliament to lead the VVD faction. She stated, “First the content, then the approval, then we talk about jobs.”

What This Means for Expats

A D66-led cabinet with VVD influence is generally a mixed bag for internationals:

The Good: D66 is traditionally the most “expat-friendly” party, supporting English in education, easier migration rules, and EU integration.

The Bad: VVD and CDA are pushing for stricter migration controls. The compromise might be “tougher asylum rules” but “open doors for high-skilled labor.”

The Ugly: The “Financial Responsibility” pledge might mean the 30% ruling stays cut or is further reformed to save money.

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